Fragmenting into Fall

I'm back with more fragments of my life. 

Today I started another eight-week graduate course. Hooray (except not really). 

It turns out I am going to attempt to present some of my research from this summer at a conference in June 2021. If it gets rejected, I won't be following up on it on the blog. I'm crossing my fingers because it's at a cool location and if my presentation is approved  (and the pandemic isn't still raging like crazy and the whole thing gets canceled)....I will take the wife and make a whole trip out of it! I don't think the school will have the cash to pony up for travel, but I will apply for it. 

My own classes started a few weeks ago. So far, they are great students.... but with Zoom I just can't remember who is in what class, what face goes with what name, etc. until their little faces populate the screen. Even then, some don't have their camera on and I really don't know anything about them. Oh well, it's the new normal. 

I started a soft re-watch of Star Trek: Voyager. It's underrated... What I mean by "soft re-watch" is that if I am not feeling the episode or I hated it before, I just skip it.  I did a soft re-watch on DS9 two years ago but never quite finished my soft re-watch of TNG. So far, it's a great comfort to watch mindlessly at night (and my wife makes fun of me all the time and I don't mind). I just started season four and I have probably only skipped 4-5 episodes a season anyway. STV has some clunkers, but honestly, that's just ST. There are always some bad episodes! 

I was partially inspired by Renegade Cut's excellent video below: 

Almost all of Renegade Cut's stuff is great, especially his political videos and film analysis Give the channel a try. 

COOKING NEWS (yes, COOKING NEWS)

This past summer I started to cook a little more for the fam. Well, I always could follow directions and do the necessities.  Although I took particular pride in my grilled cheese sandwiches (secret ingredient to make your life complete: put a thin layer of bean dip in there and you will thank the Lord your read this blog after your first gooey bite). 

Some Highlights included: 

I think I perfected my mashed potatoes (admittedly, it's easy, just add a ton of butter). 

I make pretty decent home-made biscuits now.

I also pan-grilled some decent cheeseburger sliders in the house.

I also really messed up a cookie recipe and the cookies crumbled like crazy (in part because I was trying to wing a bit of it). 

All that to led to last night's masterpiece. I followed Adam Ragusea's recipe on Chicken Parm (just go to YT and look his channel up, soooo good!)  and my family loved it. I felt like a pro and I admit it was a  very satisfying feeling that I don't get at work or anywhere else.  I got some ideas for my next recipe, should be fun. 

End of COOKING NEWS, yes COOKING NEWS......

School at the house with three kids, while my wife juggles two part-time jobs and I have a full-time job is, well, not fun. Especially tough dealing with our 3rd grader, and look, I can't blame the kiddo all that much either...they need less Zoom time and more flexibility. Again, can't complain too much as we're all struggling in this brave new world (that sucks). 

I read a lot of news and now I will be reading for grad school, but I have started a re-read of The Silmarillion last week, cuz I guess I like slow, dense storytelling? I dunno, it feels right and safe late at night to forget the troubles of the world. 

That's all I got for ya. 

In the meantime, be sure your butt is registered to vote this fall, don't let it worry you too much, and don't forget to do a load of laundry tonight (you won't regret that you have clean underwear in the morning). 

Fragments of College - 8 Things that Happened

8. I was ticketed for noise pollution during our one official, cliché college keg party that my roommate and I hosted.  I had mistakenly forgotten that I had taken Benadryl before I had started drinking and lemme tell ya, that's a big mistake. Needless to say, people started turning the music up and I was passing out in the living room. My roommate drunk dialed his ex and he left to go get his hook up. The next thing I know I look up and a police officer is in my apartment. Luckily a friend walked me out and held me up as I received my ticket.  As  I walked back into my apartment, I held the ticket aloft and said, "We got a ticket!" and promptly fell flat on my face and passed out. 

7. I stole a cardboard, life-size Worf from Jack in a Box.

Yes, this Worf.

6. I covered a neighbor's car with almost every food item in the fridge and cupboard one night in a frenzied giggle-fest with my roommate. Yes, we were drinking, and yes, he kinda deserved it. I totally felt guilty the next day.


5. I felt as if destiny was calling and I transferred to another university after two years (it turns out I just had eaten too much fried food).

4. I created my own short-film series, "The Wonderous Adventures of Blueguy" that became big events for my circle of friends (there were a total of 10 episodes). It was an ironic homage and love letter to Saturday morning cartoons - all starring toys. Some of my most beloved characters were "The Other Guy" and "Ketchup Monster".

3. I hosted a show with my friend on the our college radio station.

2. I had an idea to start a fake student club so I  could be a "president and founder" I had vague ideas about the "cover" for the club, so I went on down to the student life/activities department (or whatever it was called) to ask about filling out an application. However, I was overheard talking with the clerk or whoever it was by a board of trustee member (??) who pulled me into a board meeting (bunches of old white men) and declared what a great idea I had in front of the board. Needless to say, my cover was busted and I never showed up to our scheduled meeting. I regret this, when caught this badly, I should have doubled down.

1.  I ran for Student Body President as a protest candidate (I didn't win). I lost to an eventual US Congressman, but I still feel I had a better slogan, "The Under $20 dollar Campaign" (I was hugely into campaign finance at the time). 

Burning the Midnight Oil Fragments

Golly Gee Whiz I'm coming up to my 200th post and my 4th anniversary of blogging.

Cue your favorite music, grab a beer from the fridge and toast with me later this month.  With that 200th post, we'll celebrate the past and look forward to the future. Together.

Or don't - you douche bags - I know there's only about 2 of you out there anyway.

Ran into a wall with my "Star Trek Voyager" binge in the first part of season 6. Just got burnt out and busy with life....I expected it to happen sooner. I'll get back to eventually. Now, I got hooked on "The Angry Video Game Nerd" (search "AVGN") on YouTube. So foul but so funny. It's a Gen X thing, so if you are male, born after 1975, owned an NES and are a dork, then you should give it a chance.  Start with a AVGN Top 10 Worst NES games (or some other top ten list) before starting the actual episodes to see if you'll like the show. Also, start with a later episode (90+) as those are better in terms of quality and they are less crass.  Also, under NO circumstances should you watch these when your kids are awake - the language is pretty terrible. Here you lazy person, I'll embed it FOR YOU.  



Also, the second season of "Adventure Time" finally got loaded onto Netflix so I am sure that will distract me away from "Star Trek" also.

All this is to say it got me into NES roms again. Just discovered the original Japanese Super Mario Brothers 2 (released as "Lost Levels" on SNES a few years later). It's like discovering another Beatles album. Except the album would make you frustrated and occasionally makes you curse. The thing is not easy. I haven't been spending too much time on it but last night I was forced into a  warp zone on the 3rd world and it sends you back to World 1. Poo Poo Heads (I will hand it too them, they were devious, clever Poo Poo Heads).  Also, I got a NES USB controller on Amazon for 8 bucks with shipping. It's awesome.


In other lazy news the love of my life and I recently rented "About Time". Wow. Best movie I have seen in awhile. I was expecting typically rom com and ended the movie in tears, not because of the characters but because of my own life. Definitely one of those that you'll think about the next day.

I've been in the local paper (and our college paper) a couple of times the last few weeks due to work stuff. I think if I would have somehow known this as a child, I would have thought that was AWESOME. Now, I will admit, it's kinda cool, but it only serves as a means to an end. We want change, so someone has to say something. And on that front, it looks like we won a battle in the war. We found out good news today and it was joyous.

It's been interesting and rewarding experience. First, it was a detective story. I gathered information and collected evidence. Then it was using people skills, calling people on campus, getting different takes on the same event, calling state agencies for more information. Then we garnered support, sure it was easy enough getting faculty members to sign on but I put in hours walking up and down our campus in two days as time was of essence.  We even ended up getting some of our administrators to sign on. After that, it felt like we were onto something. Then it was working with the media. It involved meeting with media folks off the record, being interviewed and basically helping shape the story. Keep in mind I am not taking credit for all of this, only a helpful cog in a machine.

Also, spring time is awesome. Flowers, nice weather, ya know, spring time.

Spurs. Damn those Spurs - hope never dies (at least until Timmy retires).

That's it. I stayed up too late. AGAIN. Future self will be confused by the past self. Current self just couldn't stop after a long and successful day, so whatever.

Stay safe, buy local and don't forget to stop and smell the flowers this spring.

Sick Fragments and a Happy New Year!!!

2014 was off with a bang I spent the night violently vomiting and having diarrhea.



Not so good, Al, not so good.

Because you are dying to know, here is the list of the most sick I have ever been:

1. 2004 - China - too disgusting for words, painful, seemingly never-ending and I cried while on the toilet, "I just want to go home."
2. 2002 - San Antonio - All thanks to a McDonald's near Baton Rouge earlier that morning. Painful food poisoning.  Laid on bathroom floor pondering how death could be a good thing if this continued indefinitely. Thankful I didn't get sick until I was home.
3. 2013 - Last night.
4. 1992(?) - San Antonio - explosive diarrhea at the mall,  as I was buying the a Sega Genesis (repeated later after a uncomfortable trip home).

O HAPPY DAY.

Well, I have decided that I am going to take a shot at being an children's book author after all. Tentatively, I will begin my work in earnest after the Study Abroad this summer. It will most likely result in failure, but now that I have accepted that fact, I'm okay with it. The goal is the book, not success. Reminds me of this moment:







What a great line and movie. One of my childhood favorites. In the early 90's you could always just flip around the channels on Saturday afternoon and find either The Last Starfighter, Enemy Mine, The Breakfast Club, Ferris Bueller's Day Off or Roadhouse on TV. Either that or a Matlock re-run.

I was happy to note I surpassed my blog totals from last year, ever so slightly. Sadly, it made me feel like I accomplished something.  I don't know how people blog often. I have lots of opinions but it's exhausting just to come up with ideas.

Keeping busy with the holidays, our annual X-Mas party, being sick. This FridayI have a date out with the Mrs. with two kiddo's spending the night at grandparent's (little one's not ready - or is it us?). Should be fun.  Also,  I am totally sucked into watching Star Trek: Voyager -- almost done with the second season. Not saying it's better than TNG but comparing the first two seasons, Voyager is more consistent in terms of quality. That first TNG season is a slog and has some duds.

 I dunno maybe it's my stomach bug talking and I'm crazy. 

Does this need a caption other than AWE INSPIRING?

In other news, I am taking a break from facebook. I read someone's stupid post about a diet or about how we have food allergies because, in the past, ."..people TRUSTED THEIR BODIES to heal on its own more than we did." No, they didn't. They couldn't afford to see a doctor or they had no medicine to treat their aliment. Idiocy. Last year I took a month break, I think I am due for one now.

Sometime last year, via my wife from my friend's wife, I found out my friend does not vaccinate his children. It took everything in my power not to say something to him about it. I knew it would be like talking to a conspiracy theorist - there would never been enough evidence to convince him otherwise. If you're in that boat - knowing you can never change your mind then you're brainwashed or you're dangerously arrogant.

We were at the mall the other day and I saw a sign for "Two Shirts for $139.00". I had one of those moments where I felt like I was in the Twilight Zone or a visitor from another planet trying to understand an alien culture. What is wrong with the world?

That's it, kiddos.

To all of my 1.5 readers (no, not counting myself) - have a safe, happy and silly new year!!!

Fragment Time

I feel like I need an art project soon. I have ideas, but they all suck.

I go through these reading stages where I can do prolonged reading of the most dense or boring material (or what others would call dense and boring) and then suddenly I have no desire to read anything above an 8th grade level (this is where comic books come in handy). I am going through the "comic book" period right now.

So I am in the middle of a Star Trek: Next Generation re-watch (or "watch" as I haven't seen most episodes) and I finally hit a rough patch - the start of season five. I have slowed down my rate and I fell asleep in the middle of an episode --three episodes in a row! Granted, I was on the bed and sleepy but still this hadn't happened but maybe once before. I usually fell asleep around the 15-25 minute mark and then would wake up with five minutes to go when the music got dramatic or something blew up. I am still counting the episodes. I was talking about it with someone later - and they nailed it - the color scheme and lighting (not too bright, hushed and pleasant colors) almost induces relaxation and sleepiness (with a little help from Picard's voice and the whooshing of the doors).

The damned Klingon shows always bore me. The are so predictable and are basically the same three characters every time. There's the back-stabbing Klingon (required one per Klingon episode), the older, more reliable Klingon (sometimes the character is the hidden "spy"), and then a bunch of no name tough guys. That's it. Damn, even Wharf bores me, it's always "Sir, I believe we should fire immediately". I understand he's head of security but still, predictable, annoyingly grim and predictable. Sidenote: spell check on Blogger has Klingon in the dictionary. Wow.

I like the fall. It makes the summer in South Texas almost worth it. Almost.


I also feel like I haven't written anything of substance in awhile. I have half finished blogs I should get to. It kinda bothers me. Almost.



The funny thing about teaching three classes in one day - I get a little loony the last time around. I am tired and at times-- I dread walking to that last class (at 3:30) to give the same discussion I have already had twice in the day. Then I get in there, open the door and the adrenaline kicks in and I am all ready to roll. Teaching is such a performance art. So, how about another list!

Things I like about Teaching College

You always get the last word.

You sometimes see light bulbs go off.

You get to be around inspiring young people.

Academic freedom

Making the class laugh

Asking hard, deep questions

Telling stories

Watching young people excited to live life on their own terms.

Trying to change people's minds

Drawing connections from an older class topic/reading/film

Trekkin'

Last month I began a long journey of re watching the entire Star Trek: The Next Generation. As soon as it got on Netflix, I hatched the plan.

I remember watching the show with my mom on Saturday nights at 10:30 as a 11 year-old. I owe much of my Sci-Fi love to my mom, she made me watch the original Planet of the Apes as a 12 year-old (of course, the ending blew my mind. I can't wait to show that one to my daugther someday and watch her face).

I am currently at the tail end of season two and frankly, this has basically sucked my free time away from me. This happened two years ago when I re-watched Lost seasons 1-5 before the run-up to season 6. I will find myself watching just 10 minutes of an episode to get it done. I think I dreamed about it the other night. My wife hasn't verbally complained but I know she isn't thrilled with this little project of mine. I have to get through seven seasons - at the rate I am going I think I will finish sometime in October, barring you know, actual life getting in the way.

Like my favorite television show of all-time, Lost, STNG often wrestles with existential questions about life, death, reality, and time travel all in colorful backdrop.  At its best, it has solid acting (well, at least from Patrick Stewart) and asks big questions all with a dash of mystery and action.

At its worst it involves gaping plot holes with terrible special effects and often bad acting (why do I find myself rooting against William Riker?) Many times, even while exploring big questions, cheesy situations arise. Like a comic book, I just accept it - this isn't brilliant film, it is what it is. Sometimes the cheese is really, really good though.  Here are two of my favorite moments. They will astound you with their epic-ness.



This one is, well, gross, it's like a really bad horror movie scene from the 80's. It made me laugh out loud....seriously though, the creepy factor was very high and it was so campy it was actually a treat.



So I have stuff to do...(like you know, watching Star Trek).

Peace

Frag - Mints

DAH.


I have fallen behind for whatever reason.

Working on a complete re-recording of my old radio show back in college (the awkwardly named, The Paba Free Show). It's quite ambitious actually. I am editing clips and songs to create one massive WAV file that will be as if the listener (that will be me pretty much) is listening to a old tape - in order to move forward you will have to just wait or fast forward. No skipping tracks. I know, I know, kinda weird but sometimes I miss the 20th century.

I'm Free baby - I'm not the chair.

Started getting obsessive about the Spurs again. Re-read newspapers from 1999 and started tracking down old NBA games on YouTube. Cracked up the Dynasty DVD's as well. Cool beans, yo.

Revamping all my classes for the fall except World Civ I. Fun but challenging.

Weezer Concert Review Coming this Week (maybe Thursday or Friday).

Gotta run, I need clean my room, desk and do laundry, etc. It's a good thing Netflix has Star Trek :TNG on streaming. Boy o Boy that made me happy. The other day my wife called it Star Wars. I had the typical reaction. "Uh honey - no - it's MUCH different". Luckily, I like both (keep in mind, I pretend the whole prequels were never made).

Actually watching Darth Vader at the Beach would be better than watching any of the prequels.

Fragment Trek

Almost done with my chairship (I don't think that's quite a word but whatever). At this point the waiting has gotten to the fever stage. I have a hard time concentrating at work and I am behind on my grading (which I am putting off even as I type). Don't let anyone ever tell you 8:00 AM's Monday-Thursdays are easy....boy, I don't know how regular people do it. I get up so early I don't see the kids at all.

This week I was presented with a possible opportunity that would be awesome. I don't know when it would be or if I could even go due to our adoption (as it would have me leaving the country for three weeks) - and the person that might arrange for it to happen might not be in his position in the next two years....so....we'll just have to see how it pans out. For now, I doubt it will all happen, but it's an exciting thought.

Speaking of our adoption, we are making serious headway on our waitlist. I wish we could get our son now but waiting isn't all bad. We have time to prepare logistically and emotionally, etc.

Just made a few purchases off Amazon and the two books I bought pretty much sum up my current interests and personality quite well, Albert Camus' The Rebel and Marvel's Planet Hulk collection (which, even by non-geek standards is pretty cool, well on second thought, no, it's only cool on comic/science-fiction standards, most normal people would think it's stupid).

HOT OFF THE PRESS BLOG NEWS
(wow that was exiciting, eh?)

Experiments in Living: A Week Without "Made In China" as been postponed until at least mid-July. I just want to finish my five-week class first.

Weezer Concert Review: Coming Soon. I wrote most of it and then got bored (not exactly the best advertising for that post, I know).

Also, thinking of visiting the local Sikh center one of these weekends.  If I do, I'll have a report.

Here is a picture of Jean Luc Picard because, let's face it, you just can't go wrong with a picture of Jean Luc Picard to end a blog post. It's gold. "Engage!"